Circling inside the bubble of illusion

30 RD Burman songs I can never get enough of!

This article started out as a list of Rahul Dev Burman’s 10 Best Songs. I suggested on increasing the figure to 20. By the time I got around to writing the story, my list had expanded to 25 and was dangerously inching towards 30. At this point, I had to physically stop myself from typing any further.

That’s the sort of hold RD has over his fans even though it’s been two decades since his untimely demise. (He was only 54.)

Whether one belongs to the generation that saw the rise and euphoria of this baby-faced music director or the less fortunate experiencing the magic of his tunes only after he was gone, the conclusion drawn is one and the same –RD is THE Boss. No wonder he continues to find such strong resonance and reference in the works of contemporary film makers.

His enthusiastic, unorthodox approach to embrace all forms of music and give it his own signature kick without tampering the essence of a melody lend his creations a class of their own.

On his 19th death anniversary, I share with you, dear readers, 30 of my favorite RD compositions I never get tired of listening. Rest assured, this is NOT a ‘Best of’ list, as there cannot be one with SO MANY terrific tracks to choose from. Meanwhile, do not hesitate from posting your faves on the message board.

1. Bhoot bangla, Bhoot BanglaThe primary objective of songs in our films is to entertain and add to the narrative.

RD collaborates with Mehmood, on screen and off it, to serve this purpose to sidesplitting effects in a spooky ballet of creepy sound effects and the duo’s madcap performance.

3. Aaja aaja, Teesri ManzilTeesri Manzil is that rare perfect film with a soundtrack just as perfect.

And while every single song is worth in gold, the infectious allure of Aaja Aaja’s RD-orchestrated madness equally reflected in Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle’s gamely vocals makes this a timeless chartbuster.

4. Raina beeti jaaye, Amar PremThe sublime tunes of Amar Prem easily rank among RD’s finest works. Though despair runs deep in almost every song, he creates a brand new ambiance for each.

The classical quality of Lata Mangeshkar’s pitch perfect rendition in Raina beeti jaaye is so moving; there’s little one can do except keep coming back for more.

5. Is mod se, AandhiThe exquisite combination of Pancham and Gulzar has produced many a fine soundtracks. Aandhi is decidedly most prominent among them.

While Tera bina zindagi se koi conveys tenderness and regret rather poignantly, it’s the radiance of Is mod se jaate hain that never fails to light my mood.

6. O majhi re, KhushbooJust a buoyant but effective percussion, a dramatic cameo from the flute, Kishore Kumar’s wistful voice endorsing Gulzar’s incredible insight and RD’s remarkable soul is enough to transport its listener in an alternate universe of indescribable contentment and peace.

7. Dhanno ki aankhon mein, KitaabRD employs the Flanger effect to create a sound so bizarre and quirky; it’s only fair he should wield the microphone as well to do Dhanno complete justice.

That is precisely what he does.

8. Phir wohi raat hai, GharGulzar and RD continue to brew magical potions that elicit bliss among its listeners with the delicate enchantment of Phir wohi raat hai in the shape of Kishore Kumar’s velvety baritone.

9. Piya bawri, KhubsooratThe feel-good vibe of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Khubsoorat can also be found in the rapturous beats of Piya bawri.

While Asha Bhosle is reliably fabulous, its Ashok Kumar’s vehement ‘bol’ that adds to its overall awesomeness.

10. Do naina aur ek kahani, MasoomIs there any way to finish this song without tears welling up in your eyes? I have yet to find out.

The warmth in RD’s tune and Aarti Mukherjee’s deft delivery of this affectionate Gulzar lullaby is much too personal to be dismissed as merely music.

11. Golmaal hai bhai sab golmaal hai, GolmaalThe rhythmic pattern that opens Golmaal’s title track? In my dictionary that peculiar sound defines infectious and I could hear it all day long.

And so whether it’s adorning the original comedy’s opening credits or popping up to create a hilarious situation in Hera Pheri, I am all for it.

12. Khaali haath shaam, IjaazatThe poetry of Gulzar dominates most of Ijaazat and its soundtrack.

But RD is far from overshadowed and displays his mastery in marrying melancholy and melody for my most beloved song from the album, Khaali haath shaam aayi hai.

13. Khatouba, Ali Baba Chalees ChorThere’s much to admire in the texture of Asha Bhosle’s voice and how it takes a life of its own, especially in RD’s songs.

One can never get enough of her melismatic singing in this scorching ditty picturised on Zeenat Aman in the star-studded fantasy, Ali Baba Chalees Chor.

15. Thodisi zameen, SitaraBhupinder (Mithun Chakraborty) and Lata Mangeshkar (Zarina Wahab) engage in a delightful discussion about their future with generous help from Gulzar’s imagination and RD’s breezy composing in this evergreen track from Sitara.

16. Mehbooba, Sholay
Imagine RD channeling a wolf? It doesn’t get any groovier than this.

While it’s not a movie necessarily known for its soundtrack, Sholay’s one Mehbooba alone oozes enough glamour and excitement to get pulses racing.

17. Bachna Ae Haseeno, Hum Kisise Kum Nahin
RD and Kishore Kumar hit some high notes to celebrate the art of flirtation in this flamboyant and fabulous ditty from the Nasir Hussain musical.

The extended trumpet in the beginning was swank enough to be reproduced in its remix sung by Kishoreda’s son Sumit.

18. Ek main aur ek tu, Khel Khel MeinThe playfulness of this super hit tune, featuring two of Bollywood’s most loved couples – Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, is deceptively simple, almost like a nursery rhyme.

And yet RD makes it so refreshing and foot-tapping with his ever-ready stock of whimsical hooks ranging from a familiar hush to an addictive tut tut.

19. Dum Maaro Dum, Hare Rama Hare KrishnaIn the prime of their chemistry, Asha Bhosle’s nimble incantations and RD’s sensual arrangement of Dum maaro dum evokes a paradox of carefree control that is both dangerous and so, SO attractive.

RD demonstrated his keen sense of humour at every given opportunity. This famously droll track, performed by an extensive line-up of playback singers in full-on mode, has a blast proving just that.

23. Yeh vaada raha, Yeh Vaada RahaYeh Vaada Raha is no blockbuster but a fairly engaging romance drama that I remember best for RD’s superb soundtrack. Every single song here is fabulous.

So I am going with the consistently pleasant title number, which continues to work despite a lesser but popular remix.

24. Jaane jaan o meri jaane jaan, Sanam Teri KasamRD should have an award long ago and for many more films. But he won his first Filmfare trophy for this typical rich-poor boy-girl romance, Sanam Teri Kasam starring Kamal Haasan and Reena Roy.

27. Aur kya ehde wafa, SunnyThough a one-film old Sunny Deol lacks the wisdom or gravity to lip-sync Suresh Wadkar’s soulful pronouncement with conviction, RD’s ghazal-like treatment to this dazzling composition from the musically-strong Sunny holds its own rather well.

28. Yeh zameen gaa rahi hai, Teri KasamThe songs of Love Story were a huge success but I am slightly partial to this rather underrated gem from the same troika – RD, Kumar Gaurav and Amit Kumar from the film Teri Kasam.

The sparkling zeal of RD’s majestic tune is reciprocated in equal measures by AK’s dedicated crooning.

29. Pyaar ke mod pe, ParindaAsha Bhosle and Suresh Wadkar communicate on behalf of a loving woman and her presently indisposed mate against RD’s mellifluous production to provide Parinda its few unaggressive moments.

30. Pyaar hua chupke se, 1942: A Love StoryRD left behind quite a tour de force with his work in 1942: A Love Story. And while Ek ladki ko dekha and Kuch na kaho are the more popular picks, my favourite is Pyaar hua.

He captures the rush of new romance with vivid drama (that nifty Gurunaguruna touch to underscore its period backdrop) and an ethereal Kavita Krishnamurthy to render this an instant classic.